Thats not true at all. If the MP3 is encoded at a very high bitrate, say 320kbps(VBR) then it is impossible for the human ear to tell the difference.

A lot of people encode at 128kbps, and this is extremely poor quality, but yeilds a small file size. 320kbps(VBR) yeilds a file size approx 2.5 times the size, but still very very small when you consider todays HDD's and MP3 Players.

If we comapre MP3 to Wav for instance, A CD encoded to WAV at the highest setting is an 'exact audio copy' of the CD. Providing it is palyed through a good HiFi, then the sound will be perfect. If you were to get an MP3 at its highest possible setting and play through the same HiFi, then you would NOT be able to tell the difference.

MP3 has been getting a bad name on these boards. And all from uneducated people who repeat what other uneducated say. MP3 is the future, and whether you like it or not, MP3 is on its way to being King!